Averies Recycling claim Environment Agency is to blame for delays in dealing with fire

Averies Recycling claim Environment Agency is to blame for delays in dealing with fire

AVERIES Recycling claim the fire at their Marshgate site could be out by now if the Environment Agency didn’t disrupt the firefighters who are dealing with the incident.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is still at Averies attempting to put out the waste fire which started on Monday, July 21. Since the fire began smoke has continually been seen across Swindon.

Firefighters are working with Averies, Swindon Council, NHS England, Wiltshire Police and the Environment Agency to investigate the cause and reduce the affect the smoke is having on residents and neighbouring businesses.

A spokesperson for Averies said: “We remain extremely concerned about the incident at our Marshgate site which has now been burning since the evening of Monday, July 21.

“Despite the view of the Environment Agency, we continue to work with all of the relevant authorities to minimise the disruption that the fire is having on the community. Our staff are undertaking a key role in the fighting of the fire and will continue to do so. We understand that delays have been caused by the Environment Agency in consenting to the fire service’s method of dealing with the incident. Much to the frustration of everyone involved.

“Had that consent been given much earlier and the fire service been able to implement its strategy, there is every chance the fire would now have been extinguished. We would encourage the authorities to work together to decide on a course of action which will bring this incident to a conclusion.

“We continue to feel desperately for our neighbour and the wider Swindon community and again offer our sincere apologies for the ongoing inconvenience that the fire continues to cause. However, unless the fire service get agreement to their strategy to deal with this incident, it does look like the current situation will continue for some time to come.

“We would reiterate that Averies Recycling operates a fully licensed waster transfer site at Marshgate and has systems in place to deal effectively with waste that is brought into the site. We work closely with the Environment Agency in all aspects of our operation.

“We are aware that it has been reported that there was a prosecution last year. We would confirm that this is correct and related to historic issues dating as far back as April 2010. The fines levied amounted to £13,000.”

The Environment Agency said they raised concerns of a potential fire risk at Averies during a routine visit earlier this year. The body is currently monitoring the water in the River Cole to ensure the fire hasn’t contaminated it.

Anyone concerned about inhaling smoke from the blaze should call NHS 111.

Comments (8)

There is no doubt the fire is still burning because of the EA, they want Averies closed down, it's like a witch hunt. There's no doubt that it's the fault of Averies in the first place the fire started but this could be out now if the fire service were allowed to do their job properly. EA should be brought to task over this and made to help resolve the situation to save all of us breathing in the fumes.

There is no doubt the fire is still burning because of the EA, they want Averies closed down, it's like a witch hunt. There's no doubt that it's the fault of Averies in the first place the fire started but this could be out now if the fire service were allowed to do their job properly. EA should be brought to task over this and made to help resolve the situation to save all of us breathing in the fumes.Poppyatstratton

Poppyatstratton wrote:
There is no doubt the fire is still burning because of the EA, they want Averies closed down, it's like a witch hunt. There's no doubt that it's the fault of Averies in the first place the fire started but this could be out now if the fire service were allowed to do their job properly. EA should be brought to task over this and made to help resolve the situation to save all of us breathing in the fumes.

**** right - people's health is suffering. That smoke is vile

[quote][p][bold]Poppyatstratton[/bold] wrote:
There is no doubt the fire is still burning because of the EA, they want Averies closed down, it's like a witch hunt. There's no doubt that it's the fault of Averies in the first place the fire started but this could be out now if the fire service were allowed to do their job properly. EA should be brought to task over this and made to help resolve the situation to save all of us breathing in the fumes.[/p][/quote]**** right - people's health is suffering. That smoke is vileThe Real Librarian

Isthisthebestswindon cando wrote:
The smoke is unpleasant - but let's keep a sense of perspective here please, the EA did not start the fire...

No, but its been buring for eleven days
A joke is a joke

[quote][p][bold]Isthisthebestswindon cando[/bold] wrote:
The smoke is unpleasant - but let's keep a sense of perspective here please, the EA did not start the fire...[/p][/quote]No, but its been buring for eleven days
A joke is a jokeThe Real Librarian

I wonder how long it will be before the fire is seen to be the cause of many peoples illnesses ? has there been an increase in medical appointments across the borough for the affected areas for various respiratory problems, admittedly these may have been magnified by the still hot night, Bearing in mind the negligent approach to the incident by the environmental Agency, will we see them covering theirs and others tracks to reduce the blame that could be forthcoming if here really is harmful side effects.

I wonder how long it will be before the fire is seen to be the cause of many peoples illnesses ? has there been an increase in medical appointments across the borough for the affected areas for various respiratory problems, admittedly these may have been magnified by the still hot night, Bearing in mind the negligent approach to the incident by the environmental Agency, will we see them covering theirs and others tracks to reduce the blame that could be forthcoming if here really is harmful side effects.faatmaan

There's only one organisation to blame in this sorry saga and that's Averies.
Poor storage and very poor management, once this fiasco is over let's hope thier licences are revoked and the firms recycling is closed down for good.

There's only one organisation to blame in this sorry saga and that's Averies.
Poor storage and very poor management, once this fiasco is over let's hope thier licences are revoked and the firms recycling is closed down for good.Oik1

What a load of narrow minded people. Have you ever thought about the people that work there or the people that could have been hurt in the fire. Clearly not how is it averies fault that the fire started if a fire started in your house and you didnt know how you wouldnt get everyone blaming you. Seriously averies have done all they can too stop this fire and if the ea realised that the best option was to let it burn out then this would have been over by now. Its alright everyone slagging the company off but all you greedy lot are still getting service as usual. Wow its a bit of smoke get over it im sure if it was burning weed youd all be fine with it!

What a load of narrow minded people. Have you ever thought about the people that work there or the people that could have been hurt in the fire. Clearly not how is it averies fault that the fire started if a fire started in your house and you didnt know how you wouldnt get everyone blaming you. Seriously averies have done all they can too stop this fire and if the ea realised that the best option was to let it burn out then this would have been over by now. Its alright everyone slagging the company off but all you greedy lot are still getting service as usual. Wow its a bit of smoke get over it im sure if it was burning weed youd all be fine with it!sugarpuff90

sugarpuff90 wrote:
What a load of narrow minded people. Have you ever thought about the people that work there or the people that could have been hurt in the fire. Clearly not how is it averies fault that the fire started if a fire started in your house and you didnt know how you wouldnt get everyone blaming you. Seriously averies have done all they can too stop this fire and if the ea realised that the best option was to let it burn out then this would have been over by now. Its alright everyone slagging the company off but all you greedy lot are still getting service as usual. Wow its a bit of smoke get over it im sure if it was burning weed youd all be fine with it!

Clearly a comment from one of the Averies Clan ......SHUT UP !!!!

[quote][p][bold]sugarpuff90[/bold] wrote:
What a load of narrow minded people. Have you ever thought about the people that work there or the people that could have been hurt in the fire. Clearly not how is it averies fault that the fire started if a fire started in your house and you didnt know how you wouldnt get everyone blaming you. Seriously averies have done all they can too stop this fire and if the ea realised that the best option was to let it burn out then this would have been over by now. Its alright everyone slagging the company off but all you greedy lot are still getting service as usual. Wow its a bit of smoke get over it im sure if it was burning weed youd all be fine with it![/p][/quote]Clearly a comment from one of the Averies Clan ......SHUT UP !!!!princesshelen68